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This issue features a number of articles you will want to share with your family, friends and co-workers. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to them via e-mail. If you have received this e-mail newsletter from someone else, you may subscribe free of charge and begin receiving your own copy by going to:

Few things in life are more painful than an infection of the urinary tract. Women who suffer from repeated urinary tract infections (UTIs) have reported that the pain can be as severe as that felt during childbirth. While antibiotics normally relieve UTI symptoms in a few days, some women choose not to take their medication and let the infection run its course, which can lead to serious health problems. Worse yet, women who are especially prone to UTIs often take large doses of antibiotics before an infection sets in, which only hastens bacterial resistance.

Researchers from the University of Bergen in Norway conducted a study using acupuncture to treat urinary tract infections in 94 women aged 18-60. The women were divided into two groups. Those in the control group received no treatment. Acupuncture patients received needling at points on the lower abdomen, back, or the lower extremities according to a traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis. Treatments were given twice weekly for four weeks. Incidence of UTI, along with urine samples, were documented at the end of the study and at two-, four- and six-month follow-ups.

Seventy-three percent of the women treated with acupuncture were "free of UTIs" during the six-month followup period, compared to only 52% of women in the control group. Women treated with acupuncture also experienced a 51% reduction in the average amount of urine remaining in the bladder at the six-month examination compared to baseline, while the untreated women exhibited "no significant change in residual urine." In addition, the number of women in the treated group with residual urine levels of 10 milliliters or below more than doubled by the six-month exam; in the untreated group, there was no change.

"Our results showed that acupuncture reduced the recurrence rate among cystitis-prone women to half the rate among untreated women," the researchers noted in their conclusion. "Also, women in the acupuncture group exhibited reductions in residual urine...In summary, our results, as well as previous findings, indicate that acupuncture treatment may be effective in preventing recurrent lower UTIs in healthy adult women."

Reference

Alraek T, Soedal L, Fagerheim SU, et al. Acupuncture treatment in the prevention of uncomplicated recurrent lower urinary tract infections in adult women. American Journal of Public Health October 2002;92(10):1609-1611.

Coix seeds come from the coix plant, which is native to China. The seeds are egg-shaped, with a milky white outer surface and a slightly sweet taste. The seeds are harvested in the fall and are usually eaten unprepared, or stir-baked until the outer shell has a yellow color.

In traditional Chinese medicine, coix seeds serve several functions. They stimulate function of the spleen and lung; remove heat (which helps in the drainage of pus); and induce diuresis. They are also used to treat the symptoms of diarrhea and arthritis. A typical dose of coix seeds ranges from 10-30 grams, depending on the condition being treated.

Coix seeds can be found at Asian markets in a variety of forms, either unprepared or stir-fried. Coix seed decoctions and powders are more difficult to find, but are still available in some markets and specialty stores.

At present, there are no known contraindications, side-effects or drug interactions with coix seed. However, you should always consult with a qualified health care practitioner before taking coix seeds or any other dietary supplement or herbal remedy.

References

Chen J, Weng W. Medicinal food: the Chinese perspective. J of Med Food 1998;1(2):117-122.
Weng W, Chen J. The eastern perspective on functional foods based on traditional Chinese medicine. Nutrition Reviews 1996;54(11):S11-S16.
Yin J. A Modern Study and Clinical Application of Chinese Medicine. Beijing: Publishing House of Ancient Book of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1995, pp. 388-392.

Acupuncture Q & A: This Month's Highlights from the "Ask an Acupuncturist" Forum

The "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum provides a place for interested parties to ask questions about acupuncture and Oriental medicine and have them answered by a licensed acupuncturist. This month's questions:

Question #1: I am unable to take medication for major depression due to side effects, and allergies. I also have chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and seasonal affective disorder. Can a combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbs help get my body balanced again so I have some energy?

Answer: Chinese medicine works very well for these symptoms that Western medicine has difficulty treating. Your situation sounds complex, but an acupuncturist or doctor of Chinese medicine can assemble them into a diagnostic picture, and then recommend treatment.

Question #2: I've got an illness which can best be described as a combination of sinusitis and upper respiratory asthma - a spasm resulting in shortness of breath, coughing, etc., triggered by all the things that trigger asthma. Recently, I learned I am allergic to trees, pollen, mold and dust. Can an acupuncturist identify all other allergies? If so, can any acupuncturist do this, or should I look for a specialist? What about elimination? And do you think acupuncture could help treat my overall illness?

Answer: Because TCM/acupuncture deals with the body's immune response to allergens as opposed to identifying and eliminating these things, it isn't necessary to go through all that Western medicine does. I myself have been diagnosed years ago with asthmatic bronchitis. However, in the last three years, I have had no problems with it as long as I remain faithful to regular treatment with acupuncture and herbal therapy. Since the very premise of TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) is to improve and restore overall vitality and health, I strongly encourage you to pursue this!

Have a question about acupuncture and Oriental medicine? Visit AcupunctureToday.com's "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum at www.acupuncturetoday.com/ask.

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November 2002 [Volume 1, Issue 10] To Your Health is brought to you by:

This issue features a number of articles you will want to share with your family, friends and co-workers. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to them via e-mail. If you have received this e-mail newsletter from someone else, you may subscribe free of charge and begin receiving your own copy by going to: www.acupuncturetoday.com/newsletter/TYH/subscribe.php In this issue of To Your Health: Acupuncture Stops Urinary Infections from Coming Back Herb of the Month: Coix Seed Acupuncture Q & A: This Month's Highlights from the "Ask an Acupuncturist" Forum Acupuncture Stops Urinary Infections from Coming Back Few things in life are more painful than an infection of the urinary tract. Women who suffer from repeated urinary tract infections (UTIs) have reported that the pain can be as severe as that felt during childbirth. While antibiotics normally relieve UTI symptoms in a few days, some women choose not to take their medication and let the infection run its course, which can lead to serious health problems. Worse yet, women who are especially prone to UTIs often take large doses of antibiotics before an infection sets in, which only hastens bacterial resistance. Researchers from the University of Bergen in Norway conducted a study using acupuncture to treat urinary tract infections in 94 women aged 18-60. The women were divided into two groups. Those in the control group received no treatment. Acupuncture patients received needling at points on the lower abdomen, back, or the lower extremities according to a traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis. Treatments were given twice weekly for four weeks. Incidence of UTI, along with urine samples, were documented at the end of the study and at two-, four- and six-month follow-ups. Seventy-three percent of the women treated with acupuncture were "free of UTIs" during the six-month followup period, compared to only 52% of women in the control group. Women treated with acupuncture also experienced a 51% reduction in the average amount of urine remaining in the bladder at the six-month examination compared to baseline, while the untreated women exhibited "no significant change in residual urine." In addition, the number of women in the treated group with residual urine levels of 10 milliliters or below more than doubled by the six-month exam; in the untreated group, there was no change. "Our results showed that acupuncture reduced the recurrence rate among cystitis-prone women to half the rate among untreated women," the researchers noted in their conclusion. "Also, women in the acupuncture group exhibited reductions in residual urine...In summary, our results, as well as previous findings, indicate that acupuncture treatment may be effective in preventing recurrent lower UTIs in healthy adult women." Reference Alraek T, Soedal L, Fagerheim SU, et al. Acupuncture treatment in the prevention of uncomplicated recurrent lower urinary tract infections in adult women. American Journal of Public Health October 2002;92(10):1609-1611. Herb of the Month: Coix Seed Coix seeds come from the coix plant, which is native to China. The seeds are egg-shaped, with a milky white outer surface and a slightly sweet taste. The seeds are harvested in the fall and are usually eaten unprepared, or stir-baked until the outer shell has a yellow color. In traditional Chinese medicine, coix seeds serve several functions. They stimulate function of the spleen and lung; remove heat (which helps in the drainage of pus); and induce diuresis. They are also used to treat the symptoms of diarrhea and arthritis. A typical dose of coix seeds ranges from 10-30 grams, depending on the condition being treated. Coix seeds can be found at Asian markets in a variety of forms, either unprepared or stir-fried. Coix seed decoctions and powders are more difficult to find, but are still available in some markets and specialty stores. At present, there are no known contraindications, side-effects or drug interactions with coix seed. However, you should always consult with a qualified health care practitioner before taking coix seeds or any other dietary supplement or herbal remedy. To learn more about the benefits of herbal medicine, visit www.acupuncturetoday.com/herbcentral. References Chen J, Weng W. Medicinal food: the Chinese perspective. J of Med Food 1998;1(2):117-122. Weng W, Chen J. The eastern perspective on functional foods based on traditional Chinese medicine. Nutrition Reviews 1996;54(11):S11-S16. Yin J. A Modern Study and Clinical Application of Chinese Medicine. Beijing: Publishing House of Ancient Book of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1995, pp. 388-392. Acupuncture Q & A: This Month's Highlights from the "Ask an Acupuncturist" Forum The "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum provides a place for interested parties to ask questions about acupuncture and Oriental medicine and have them answered by a licensed acupuncturist. This month's questions: Question #1: I am unable to take medication for major depression due to side effects, and allergies. I also have chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and seasonal affective disorder. Can a combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbs help get my body balanced again so I have some energy? Answer: Chinese medicine works very well for these symptoms that Western medicine has difficulty treating. Your situation sounds complex, but an acupuncturist or doctor of Chinese medicine can assemble them into a diagnostic picture, and then recommend treatment. Question #2: I've got an illness which can best be described as a combination of sinusitis and upper respiratory asthma - a spasm resulting in shortness of breath, coughing, etc., triggered by all the things that trigger asthma. Recently, I learned I am allergic to trees, pollen, mold and dust. Can an acupuncturist identify all other allergies? If so, can any acupuncturist do this, or should I look for a specialist? What about elimination? And do you think acupuncture could help treat my overall illness? Answer: Because TCM/acupuncture deals with the body's immune response to allergens as opposed to identifying and eliminating these things, it isn't necessary to go through all that Western medicine does. I myself have been diagnosed years ago with asthmatic bronchitis. However, in the last three years, I have had no problems with it as long as I remain faithful to regular treatment with acupuncture and herbal therapy. Since the very premise of TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) is to improve and restore overall vitality and health, I strongly encourage you to pursue this! Have a question about acupuncture and Oriental medicine? Visit AcupunctureToday.com's "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum at www.acupuncturetoday.com/ask. Unsubscribe Thank you for subscribing to To Your Health. If you have received this newsletter in error or wish to unsubscribe, you may remove your name from our e-mail subscription list at www.acupuncturetoday.com/newsletter/TYH/unsubscribe.php. Update your e-mail address To update the e-mail address your newsletter is sent to, click here. If you have any questions regarding your subscription, please complete this form at www.acupuncturetoday.com/newsletterhelp/TYH.